Hi everyone, I am currently a junior going on my second semester of undergraduate as a psychology major. I’ve stuck with the major because it interested me but am now realizing how much I’d prefer the medical field. I’ve taken most of my general education courses - like biology, stats, and English. Most of my courses now are focused on psychology- I’ve even gotten some field experience last semester for psych.
I’m not sure what to do if I would like to be a pre-med student, I was thinking of taking some general requirement courses like physics, chemistry, calc, and bio over the summer at a local community college. From there I was planning on graduating as a psychology major and continuing my studies at the local community college with their courses. But from what I’ve read online about med schools is that it is frowned upon to take pre-med courses after finishing undergrad at a community college.
So I’m not sure if I should finish the other courses such as biochemistry, cell biology- etc. at my local community college since I’m not sure I’d even be considered for admission based on where my courses came from.
Would I need to go back to undergrad to be able to go to med school, and would it be all four years? I know the pre-med program at my school is based on completion of courses like general biology, organic chemistry, general chemistry, physics, and calculus during a student’s freshman year to sophomore year. They say spring semester a student may apply for their pre-med program while continuing their studies in bio and chemistry. So I’m not too sure where that would put me- considering if I would take the general courses at my community college.
I know this is a very complicated situation- but any help would be greatly appreciated! I’m just completely lost right now.
Lots of people decide to be doctors after they finish an undergrad degree without the prerequisite courses. They then take the year…or two following to complete those courses.
I’m not sure if all the required courses are even offered at community colleges. Is there a four year school you could attend within commuting distance if your home?
It’s really not a complicated situation…and you are not the first student to decide to pursue medical school late in undergrad…or even later.
@WayOutWestMom what is the least expensive way for this student to get these required courses taken?
@thumper1 Thank you for your reply and help- definitely wished I knew about going to med school early on. I don’t think my local community college has the upper division required courses for more med school requirements- they just have the basics to help students transfer. I do have a local four year school but its a bit expensive almost about $70,000 a year, but I know there are plenty of state schools. Thank you again for your help- any tips are greatly appreciated.
You may be able to complete this at your college. Or you can go for a “post-bacc.” Google what’s available.
It gives you the classes you need. Some are comparatively inexpensive, much less than 70k. Look at what Harvard Extension offers, as one example. https://www.extension.harvard.edu/academics/premedical-program
Under 15k
How many courses will you need to take? Figure that out. You don’t have to enroll full time at a university. Plus that $70,000 cost includes room and board. Can you commute from your parent home while you take the courses? If so, you would be paying tuition only. And you would only be paying for the number of credits you are actually taking.
You need to know what you have to take. Then you can make plans to get it all done.
@lookingforward thank you! I just found a local state university that offers the post-bacc and it definitely is a great option for me! thank you so much
@thumper1 yes i will definitely be commuting from home since school will be way too expensive. thank you for all the help- I’m definitely going to look more into the post bacc program since it best fits my situation thus far.
Would the biology and statistics courses be those suitable for biology majors at least? If so, then they could be used to cover those parts of the usual pre-med course list.
Also, if you have any schedule space in your senior year schedule for out-of-major electives, you can use that to take things like general chemistry and/or calculus and/or physics.
Note that the longest sequence in pre-med courses is typically the chemistry one (general 1, general 2, organic 1, organic 2, biochemistry), so if you have senior year elective schedule space, using it on chemistry courses may be the best option to shorten the time needed to complete pre-med courses.
But also, is your college GPA high enough so that you won’t be screened out by GPA screens before even getting your application read?
Lots of people decide to go to medical school later on in their college career. My family member was an education major, relocated to a city and became a teaching fellow, and decided after a year that this path was not for him. He spent the next two years doing all of his prerequisites, volunteering etc…and is now in medical school.
Can you meet with an advisor? How is your gpa? I would start taking the necessary science classes now if you can. Good luck!
D1 decided as a senior she wanted to try for med school. She’s in her final year of residency. So definitely not too late.
She did a DIY post bacc at 4 year college part time while working at a couple of part time jobs to pay bills.
Since you’ re not a science major, MD programs will want you to take your core pre reqs at a 4 year college. And note there are some MD med schools which will not accept community college pre req credits at all or unless supplemented by an equal number of credits at a 4 year college. DO programs are more accepting of community college coursework than MD programs are. Would you consider DO schools?
Make sure you have a plan in place to get your ECs done. You can’t have a strong application without them. Physician shadowing, community service, clinical volunteering, leadership— all very important. Lab or clinical research if you can manage it.
Just as FYI, most formal post baccs are not eligible for federal student loans. Many, esp, full service programs at private colleges are quite expensive.